Nt Daily Article -- Students Should Support Nt's Sports Teams

[CoachD.]

Hey,

Im trying to buy a North Texas shirt that has something to do with them going to the Tournament...?????

I cant seem to find one...even at the campus stores???

I kinda figured these shirts would be all over the place?

[UNTflyer]

Hey,

Im trying to buy a North Texas shirt that has something to do with them going to the Tournament...?????

I cant seem to find one...even at the campus stores???

I kinda figured these shirts would be all over the place?

Welcome to the Mean Green nation.

[Eagle1855]

Welcome to the Mean Green nation.

ha, im sure they will have them available in the next couple days. takes a little while to get them printed, I imagine.

[CoachD.]

ha, im sure they will have them available in the next couple days. takes a little while to get them printed, I imagine.

I guess....considering the fact that we use to get shirts made within a 24 hour period in the fraternity...I guess I figured a big school like ours would have had them out at least by today.

[Quoner]

You seem to offer not one, I repeat, not one positive idea for improving our situation.

Let's get enthusiastic for a change. Let's not settle.

Yes, your idea of creating a position that will never exist with a payscale way above all of the other employees that magically fixes a fundamental, decades-old problem with the entire university (not just athletics) was awesome. Bring it up again. On an unrelated note, I plan to cure AIDS with rainbows.

I've been trying to discuss this issue on here for months and have kind of given up on it and am sick of typing what I think. No amount of messaging is going to fix the problem - people need to be engaged - not told the same thing more. Everything people have criticized the athletic department for since we won the game has pretty much happened and I am going to wait until the experience is over before evaluating how we handled it. So far I'm pretty happy except for the shirt thing.

Finally anyone who wants to criticize the Athletic Department but somehow detach RV from it when they do it loses all credibility. It's his organization and ultimate responsibility to make things happen, enable people to make things happen, and replace people who don't make things happen.

[Green to the Bone]

Yes, your idea of creating a position that will never exist with a payscale way above all of the other employees that magically fixes a fundamental, decades-old problem with the entire university (not just athletics) was awesome. Bring it up again. On an unrelated note, I plan to cure AIDS with rainbows.

I've been trying to discuss this issue on here for months and have kind of given up on it and am sick of typing what I think. No amount of messaging is going to fix the problem - people need to be engaged - not told the same thing more. Everything people have criticized the athletic department for since we won the game has pretty much happened and I am going to wait until the experience is over before evaluating how we handled it. So far I'm pretty happy except for the shirt thing.

Finally anyone who wants to criticize the Athletic Department but somehow detach RV from it when they do it loses all credibility. It's his organization and ultimate responsibility to make things happen, enable people to make things happen, and replace people who don't make things happen.

Beat up everybody with an idea. Attack their credibility. Offer snide comments and sarcasm instead of ideas.

This is a strange and sad world.

[Quoner]

Beat up everybody with an idea. Attack their credibility. Offer snide comments and sarcasm instead of ideas.

This is a strange and sad world.

Dude you had one idea - it was your "jump to conclusions mat." No one seemed to support it - and you've been crying for a day and a half.

I've offered plenty of ideas and have been complementing what I think is being done well and attacking what I don't like.

If that post started with "Yes - let's hire a director of crazy fun" then said all of the same information you would have loved it. Now take your ball and go home.

[DeepGreen]

Screaming Eagle touched on what I truely believe is the root cause of NT's failure to garner sustained student, Alumni, and Denton support for it's athletic programs. The "hex", known as the "elite" Southwest Conference, continues to plague North Texas. We were never in that group and are not even associated with former teams of the SWC, to this day! What we have is the Sun Belt conference, comprised of teams that students could care less about. Even in good times, our football crowds for games with Arkansas State or ULL were only 17,000 on a good day. Bring in a Baylor, TCU, or an smuT and the crowds get to the 22,000+ plus mark. Sure, hardcore fans will attend games regardless of conference affiliation. I'm talking about the borderline fan, or those students that come to UNT whose Aunts and Uncles went to TxTech, a & M, UT, TCU, U of H, etc. I'm not attacking the SBC - just stating what I believe are the real reasons people don't support NT sports like they should. And when you can't even compete in the SBC, support really dwindles. Throw in a couple of 2-9 football seasons.... Well, you get the picture.

Unless North Texas can be the conference king pin in just about all sports, we will continue to have limited support.

Edited March 9, 2007 by DeepGreen

[UNTSIG]

yeah i am sure that they would be all over the place if we didn't win the tournament on oh i don't know WEDNESDAY! (i will get you one as soon as I see them D) and Green i am so happy that you have that one great idea about going to ask our sponsors in the super pit to fund a billboard saying "great season"... i am also glad that you apparently have experience in marketing. however, since you know this game... tell me how we are suppose to go and ask these sponsors to put up a billboard and then ask the SAME sponsors to buy sponsorships. our pool of sponsors is limited and you have to be careful about what you ask them. again, is it cost effective to ask your sponsors to put up a billboard for something that has already garnered so much free publicity or should you wait and ask them to help you with something that you are going to have to spend money on. you can only put your bucket in the well so many times before it is empty. thank you for putting words in my mouth. i didn't say that having less than 2,000 people at a conference basketball game is ok. however, i do stand by the statement that the situation is not going to improve until we get a better product or play more high profile teams. i mean it is amazing.... everyone has recognized that we have a better product on the court now and suddenly you have excitement and buzz around North Texas basketball.... amazing how that works Our marketing dollars are not spent to get people to come to the games and it shouldn't be. They spend advertising money to keep athletics visible. some are just going to gripe and gripe no matter what we do. we could have taken out a 30 second super bowl ad and they wouldn't be happy.

[the real grad88]

I agree totally with the person who said that we need to make fans of students when they are freshmen. That is where a fan is made. Is it brainwashing? You bet. We need to learn a little from the Aggies and the Horns. They are doing some things right. I think we are doing more than ever in that department. We just need to keep doing it. I don't know how to explain basketball, but football has definitely improved...throw last season out...we stunk. When Dodgeball gets going we are going to see a packed house for many home games. There just needs to be a sustained effort in the basketball department. Spirit contests in the dorms with promotions for prizes or whatever. The main thing is that it needs to be POSITIVE. Chastizing people for not being interested IS NOT the way to improve interest.

On hiring someone who handles spirit...we have had that position for years. There was a woman who was coordinating all of that...can't remember her name. She was from OU, I remember. Is she not still in her position?

[Stan R]

Good points 88 - one thing we need to market, IMO is the 1st game of next BB season as a "pack the pit" type of deal. We need to get a MINIMUM of 7,000 people in the pit. I think it could be done. Make it a big deal with the unveiling of the new banner.

[Green Mean]

One thing I have learned is people are more reactionary to exposure. If UNT and the Mean Green are CONSTANTLY out there with radio commercials, billboards, media coverage and etc then people will be more aware with the school and more buzz and pride will come. Some may think Coke, McDonalds and etc dont need to advertise but you know what...yes they do because they want to instill to people's heads that they are still there and serving the public with their products. Just like 88 said...its pure and complete and utter brainwash but thats the way the society of today really reacts....especially to sports and exposure of something. So if UNT starts doing that then I have no doubt that more people will be aware....even the alums in the area. I know it costs money but my mentality is to make money you have to spend money....if it takes a bigger budget then dang it lets make it bigger.

Edited March 9, 2007 by Green Mean

[Green to the Bone]

One thing I have learned is people are more reactionary to exposure. If UNT and the Mean Green are CONSTANTLY out there with radio commercials, billboards, media coverage and etc then people will be more aware with the school and more buzz and pride will come. Some may think Coke, McDonalds and etc dont need to advertise but you know what...yes they do because they want to instill to people's heads that they are still there and serving the public with their products. Just like 88 said...its pure and complete and utter brainwash but thats the way the society of today really reacts....especially to sports and exposure of something. So if UNT starts doing that then I have no doubt that more people will be aware....even the alums in the area. I know it costs money but my mentality is to make money you have to spend money....if it takes a bigger budget then dang it lets make it bigger.

I've learned from my GMG friends that there are too many reasons we can't and shouldn't do this. For myself, I'm suggesting a moratorium on suggestions.

[Quoner]

I've learned from my GMG friends that there are too many reasons we can't and shouldn't do this. For myself, I'm suggesting a moratorium on suggestions.

WAAA!

The suggestion about next year's home opener is a good one. With a conference tournament behind us and maybe a tournament win in my happy dream world, there is something to promote. Media will want to cover it, and the ads we do use can highlight success. No company just dumps advertising dollars donw the crapper like some of you seem to think though. No one is making excuses - they are trying to show what the constraints are.

I see a Midwestern State billboard in FB and it never even makes me blink. Billboards are cheap for a reason.

Good PR and winning will do more for our program than any advertisement can.

And I really don't see what was wrong with my RV oversees the whole thing statement.

[DeepGreen]

Quoner, that's the most annoying avatar I have ever seen on this board.

[CoachD.]

I agree totally with the person who said that we need to make fans of students when they are freshmen. That is where a fan is made. Is it brainwashing? You bet. We need to learn a little from the Aggies and the Horns. They are doing some things right. I think we are doing more than ever in that department. We just need to keep doing it. I don't know how to explain basketball, but football has definitely improved...throw last season out...we stunk. When Dodgeball gets going we are going to see a packed house for many home games. There just needs to be a sustained effort in the basketball department. Spirit contests in the dorms with promotions for prizes or whatever. The main thing is that it needs to be POSITIVE. Chastizing people for not being interested IS NOT the way to improve interest.

On hiring someone who handles spirit...we have had that position for years. There was a woman who was coordinating all of that...can't remember her name. She was from OU, I remember. Is she not still in her position?

ALL these things you are suggesting have been done. I worked orientation and have helped plan and organize these types of events. All you ever get is a bunch of freshmen who hate school spirit and think its all "gay."

Seems like the kids who do care go off and join organizations to get involved...but even then, that’s only like 3% of all freshmen. Pumping freshmen up to be here at UNT has been going on for sometime now...dorm contests...spirit contests....when I was working it we did all three of those. We even bring in new people from other schools who whole job is to get kids excited about being part of the Mean Green….

I just think it’s a culture.....you got to win more to get people to notice you. You have to beat the schools that are suppose to crush you. Example….we go out and beat OU, trust me everyone around here is going to be on board with North Texas. I agree with the guy who talked about conferences. We dominated the SBC for about 4 years, and still got little notice. I love North Texas and I want to see the best for it...but don't think there are not people out there right now thinking of ways to make fans of students.

[Quoner]

Quoner, that's the most annoying avatar I have ever seen on this board.

I didn't do it - it was given to me to replace naked Holmgren w/o my consent.

I have yet to find a suitable replacement, but glad it ranks above a naked 350 lb man and Hasselhoff in a speedo...

[UNTflyer]

ALL these things you are suggesting have been done. I worked orientation and have helped plan and organize these types of events. All you ever get is a bunch of freshmen who hate school spirit and think its all "gay."

We need Joe Clark.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

--- Guess I don't understand those guys at all.... I grow up in Brownwood where it was assumed you would have pride in yourself, your school, and any group you belonged, and then you went out and kicked the rear of the rest of them. It is pretty much the same out here further West.

---There is nothing "gay" about that... Perhaps that is why you see so many successful people that once lived in this area. [ The Pres., (even if you don't like him), his father, Gen Franks, Texas Speaker of House, H.Fry, many athletes, (Benson, R. Williams) etc. plus several actors inc Tommy Lee Jones etc. and lots wealthy oil execs. ] To me, doing nothing, and not caring might be.....

[SilverEagle]

ALL these things you are suggesting have been done. I worked orientation and have helped plan and organize these types of events. All you ever get is a bunch of freshmen who hate school spirit and think its all "gay."

Seems like the kids who do care go off and join organizations to get involved...but even then, that’s only like 3% of all freshmen.

I've often wondered if the HS students who wanted a more "school-spirit-rah-rah" atmosphere avoided going to NT for the very reason that we are having this thread in the first place. If that is the case, then what this school (in particular the spirit organizations) is left to work with is mostly a group of new students who were the disenfranchised at their respective High Schools.

[DeepGreen]

I've often wondered if the HS students who wanted a more "school-spirit-rah-rah" atmosphere avoided going to NT for the very reason that we are having this thread in the first place. If that is the case, then what this school (in particular the spirit organizations) is left to work with is mostly a group of new students who were the disenfranchised at their respective High Schools.

Damn good point. The high schools down here live and breath spirit. At Port Neches-Groves, the cheerleaders visit all of the elementary schools during football season. They teach these 5-6-7 year olds the fight songs, etc. These youngsters then go to middle school and high school bleeding purple and white. So, it's not like they don't know what school spirit is or shy away from it. I truly believe that the reason my three daughters did not attend NT is due to it's not being on par with the aggies and frogs in school spirit. After all, I introduced them to NT when they were in their early teens. I guess those empty Fouts afternoons took their toll. God help us if 90% of all NT students were the spirit rejects from high school.

Edited March 9, 2007 by DeepGreen

[UNTSIG]

you guys are killing me talking about spirit and comparing it to high school. having spirit in your high school is totally different. i don't care if our cheerleaders visited every elementary in the metroplex. name me one university that is know for being spirited but the athletic department has absolutely no history of winning. if you can do that, then we have a school to model ourselves after and get ideas from. until then though, realize that spirit comes from winning and we have never done that. now that we are starting to change that, i believe that you will see our school spirit change...

coach d- you are right. i have been a part of those orientations and that is the attitude of the students. i think however that you and the orientation leaders at this school did us an invaluable service because things have started turning around with the students. i think that the times are changing. students are more excited about north texas now because of freshmen orientation. unfortunately, we haven't given them anything to be excited about in the last few years with athletics. watch this upcoming football season... those students will come out. there is a buzz on campus. if we can keep it close at OU and ARK... people will be going crazy

[Eagle1855]

you guys are killing me talking about spirit and comparing it to high school. having spirit in your high school is totally different. i don't care if our cheerleaders visited every elementary in the metroplex. name me one university that is know for being spirited but the athletic department has absolutely no history of winning. if you can do that, then we have a school to model ourselves after and get ideas from. until then though, realize that spirit comes from winning and we have never done that. now that we are starting to change that, i believe that you will see our school spirit change...

<Greggo robot voice> Good point </Greggo robot voice>

WIN WIN WIN WIN

Let's talk about how freaking great its going to be to see the Mean Green in selection sunday. That's more fun. Perhaps I will start another thread on that. I wonder what Johnny Jones is going to wear, or what the first thing he will say when they interview him. I feel a GMG.com POLL coming on....

[SilverEagle]

you guys are killing me talking about spirit and comparing it to high school. having spirit in your high school is totally different. i don't care if our cheerleaders visited every elementary in the metroplex. name me one university that is know for being spirited but the athletic department has absolutely no history of winning. if you can do that, then we have a school to model ourselves after and get ideas from. until then though, realize that spirit comes from winning and we have never done that. now that we are starting to change that, i believe that you will see our school spirit change...

coach d- you are right. i have been a part of those orientations and that is the attitude of the students. i think however that you and the orientation leaders at this school did us an invaluable service because things have started turning around with the students. i think that the times are changing. students are more excited about north texas now because of freshmen orientation. unfortunately, we haven't given them anything to be excited about in the last few years with athletics. watch this upcoming football season... those students will come out. there is a buzz on campus. if we can keep it close at OU and ARK... people will be going crazy

Deep wasn't suggesting that our cheerleaders visit the local elementary schools. He was pointing out that (at least in his area) school spirit was something that started very early. So, if the majority of the freshman who come here convey to the orientation people that they think the whole spirit thing is "gay", then they must have had the same attitude in HS.....and it was probably deeply entrenched.

BTW, one school that I can think of that had a losing record but no lack of people that wanted to go to school there was A$M during most of the 60's. Yes they won the SWC in 67, but the rest of the time they were the butt of everyone's jokes. Yet, people still wanted to go there. And my guess is that the people that wanted to go there during the 60's (and most other times for that matter) were the ones who were involved in their HS organizations and spirit groups.

[CMJ]

How about South Carolina? Even when are absolutely terrible they have terrific fan support.